narrowed. âWeâre expected to know everything about the sport of rodeo and its profession, fromwho won last yearâs world championships to horse-related injuries or diseases. And thatâs just the interview portion.â
âYet, it probably seems easy compared to what youâre up against today.â Jared shifted to see her better and considered her trials. Raising a family was hard enough when circumstances were good, but having to raise two siblings, run a ranch, and deal with her fatherâs death might prove too much for a young woman to bear. He knew then that God had called him to help this family. âI want you to know that if you need anything, you can call me. Even if itâs to help around the ranch or to spend time with Dillon.â
Natalie stared at her boots. âWhy would you do that? You hardly know us.â
âI know your circumstances.â When the moment turned too quiet, he nudged her elbow. âCome on, let me see your smileâ¦that competition smile you save for judges.â
Her mouth angled into a slight grin and soon widened into a dazzling smile heâd seen once before when theyâd first met. Though he figured sheâd trained for such moments, his heart thumped against his chest just as it had done at the river. If heâd been one of the judges in December, heâd have given her the titleâno question.
N ATALIE DASHED TO THE BATHROOM AND SPLASHED HER PUFFY EYES WITH cold water. She pressed a wet washcloth to her hot cheeks. What was she thinking? To confide in their dinner guest, a man she hardly knew, and to lose control so thoroughly? Her father would be ashamed of her weakness. She turned off the faucet and heard the grandfather clock ticking in the next room joined by the muffled bass from Chelseyâs stereo upstairs. At least the kids hadnât witnessed the breakdown.
In no mood to deal with her fatherâs unorganized finances, Natalie ignored the office as she passed by and spotted instead her motherâs buffet cabinet where family pictures and other items werestored. Feeling nostalgic, she opened one of the pine doors and a stack of boxes greeted her, friends from her childhood. She pulled out one of the puzzles with a picture of galloping horses against a stormy sky. Captivated, she was about to lift the lid when a knock sounded from the kitchen screen. Natalie looked up to see Willardâs head peek in through the door.
âI saw your light on. Thought you might like some company.â
The familiar voice comforted her. âLike old times?â She set the puzzle aside.
Willard joined her in the dining room, his tall frame beginning to slump at the neck and shoulders. His gaze wandered to the open door of the buffet cabinet. âGoing through your dadâs things?â
Natalie shrugged. âNot if I can talk you into a game of checkers.â
He flashed a smile, his white dentures gleaming. âIf Iâm not mistaken, I think your dad kept a set in the top drawer over there.â A long crooked finger pointed to the coffee table in the living room.
âItâs been a while since you and I played checkers.â Natalie followed him to the table and noticed his limp, which had grown worse this past year. âI was never very good, but Dad loved the game.â
The man chuckled. âHe probably got that from his daddy. He and I used to play in Nam. Thatâs how we knew each other so well. Your grandpa insisted we play every evening after chow. Said it reminded him of home. Even though I was his sergeant, I enjoyed listening to his tales, like the night he and his friends roped a young cow in the middle of a pasture, only his mount spooked and dragged the pesky heifer a couple miles before they shut the horse down.â His eyes glistened at the memory as he eased himself onto the worn couch.
Natalie didnât remember much about her grandpa, but she always enjoyed